Critics have recently accused the authors of anti-male rhetoric & # 39; after the report

By

Julie Henry For The Mail on Sunday

Published: 01:56, January 13, 2019

| updated: 02:04, January 13, 2019

Traditional masculinity is poisonous and encouraging boys who do not cry, are dangerous to their health, according to the world's leading psychology group.

In the first official guidelines on the treatment of men and boys, the influential American Psychological Association says that many male traits, such as stoicism, competitiveness, dominance and aggression are harmful and can lead to violence, depression and suicide.

It argues that this & # 39; traditional masculinity ideology & # 39; boys in the direction of anti-femininity & # 39; pushes and forces them to mask the appearance of weakness while encouraging risk-taking, aggression and violence as a way to solve problems.

Traditional masculinity is poisonous and encouraging boys not to cry is dangerous to their health, according to the world's leading psychology group (stock image)

As a result, it limits the psychological development of man, limits his behavior, causes gender growth & # 39; and it has a negative influence on his mental and physical health.

The report paints a picture of generations of boys who are under constant pressure from society to adapt to male expressions censored by their parents and peers if they fail to maintain the expected behavior.

According to the authors, transgender issues are at the forefront of cultural conversations & # 39 ;, with evidence suggesting a link between adherence to rigid masculinity in homosexual, bisexual and transsexual men and higher rates of self-destructive behavior, such as taking drugs.

The APA is regarded as a leading authority in the psychological field. Her manual for mental disorders is considered the Bible of mental illness and is being consulted by British psychologists and health experts.

Although the controversial guidance was in the making for years, the publication in the aftermath of the # MeToo movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault nurtures a prevailing story about the dangers of traditional masculinity.

Critics last night accused the authors of "anti-male rhetoric & # 39 ;. Frank Furedi, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent, said: "Suddenly, the reluctance of some men to cry on the question is rearranged as pathology. This is not a scientifically informed document, it is an ideologically directed attempt to devalue male identity. & # 39;

Professor Chris Ferguson, a colleague from the APA, complained that the guidance read as an agenda of an activist and said: & # 39; In sweeping words, traditional men are depicted as almost monstrous, their cultural values ​​associated with everything from sexism to promiscuity, to their own deterioration Health. & # 39;

But psychologist Ryon McDermott, who helped draft the report, said that the profession was needed to help men free themselves from masculinity rules that do not help them & # 39; and to focus on potentially positive aspects of masculinity, such as courage and leadership.

And Dr. Glenn Wilson, a British psychologist and author of The Great Sex Divide, said: "Male-female differences are not socially constructed, they have early evolutionary origins.

& # 39; Male and female typical features have both advantages and disadvantages. For example, psychopathy increases the chance of crime, but is useful in the fight. & # 39;

Initials of students dropped in a new transgender movement

A top university has dropped students' initials into e-mail addresses because they are problematic & # 39; may be for transgenders who change their name.

A University of Bristol spokesman explained: "John Smith arriving in 2018 may have received the user name js18123.

The latest step in the higher education system to cater for proponents of transgender rights follows the installation of sex-neutral toilets and advice on the & # 39; preferred pronoun & # 39; of students.

Professor Alan Smithers of Buckingham University called the step an absurd overreaction & # 39 ;.

But Bristol University said: & # 39; Concerns have been voiced by trans staff and students who may have switched to keep their login linked to their former identity.